Enter the world geared toward the middle grade child. They range from a step above picture books to just below young adult. Some are more graphic novel in nature. All are meant for kids and the young-at-heart.

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Review of 'Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas' by Karen Pokras Toz

From the Award Winning Author of Millicent Marie is Not My Name

Ballet and baking pies – these are two of twelve year old Georgie Harris’ favorite things. When her parents decide to move closer to her grandmother’s nursing home, Georgie quickly learns the bad news: dance lessons are too expensive in this new town.

Instead, Georgie spends most of her time baking pies to bring to her grandmother at the Willow Lakes Nursing Home. There she meets Eve, who inspires Georgie with stories of having danced with a world famous Russian ballerina many years ago.

As Georgie and Eve’s friendship evolves, their tales intertwine in this feel good story showing dreams really can come true.

**My thoughts**I love Karen Pokras Toz's books. Her characters are full of life and all kinds of brilliant (and maybe not-so-brilliant) ideas. In each one, the child learns an important lesson, but in a fun way. You will also find yourself laughing out loud at some of each child's antics.Georgie is a great addition to the Toz library. Georgie has just been uprooted and moved to a new town, as her parents want to be closer to her grandmother's nursing home. The family has had to cut back on a lot of expenses, meaning Georgie's beloved dance lessons are no more. When her grandmother suggests that she find a way to earn the money herself, Georgie and her best friend Amber start to come up with different schemes to find the money.Meanwhile, Georgie is receiving a different kind of dance lesson. Her grandmother's roommate is a Russian woman who used to dance with Georgie's favorite ballerina of all-time. During each visit, Eve shares a bit more with the young girl. Georgie is inspired to keep coming up with ways to earn money to get back into her dancing. She learns about the value of friendship. She learns about reaching for your dreams, as well as how dreams aren't always about glitter and glory. Sometimes the important ones are a little more down-to-earth.This is the kind of book I would have eaten up when I was a girl. Okay, who am I kidding? I love it now!

About the author:

Karen Pokras Toz writes middle grade and adult contemporary fiction. Her books have won several awards including two Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, First Place in the Children’s Chapter Books category and the Grand Prize overall in the 2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as winning first for two Global E-Book Awards for Pre-Teen Literature, and placing Finalist in the USA Best Book Awards. Her books for children include the Nate Rocks series, Millicent Marie Is Not My Name, and Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas. For adults, she recently published Chasing Invisible. A native of Connecticut, Karen now lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. For more information, please visit www.karentoz.com.